A panic disorder is when a person is suffering from a recurrent and sometimes unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are an immense feeling of being overwhelmed. They can last for up to half an hour and tend to leave you drained and tired. The amount of panic attacks you have in your life is different to everyone else. It can happen everyday, all the way to once a year. They can even occur during your sleep. It is expected that most people will experience one or two panic attacks in their lifetime.
SYMPTOMS
Physical symptoms of a panic disorder are... Palpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations or shortness of breath, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, unsteadiness, light headed, faint, chills or hot flushes, numbness or tingling, excessive perspiration
Mental symptoms of panic disorder are... Derealisation (feelings of unreality) or depersonalisation (being detached from oneself), fear of losing control or going crazy, fear of dying and a sense of overwhelming panic or fear.
MYTHS
Panic attacks can make you go crazy and lose all self control. Panic attacks are most definitely disturbing, however, this does not at all mean you will completely lose touch with reality. Yes, it is in fact proven that depersonalisation and derealisation can be symptoms that one might experience, but these are in no way signs of psychosis.
Panic attacks will cause extreme harm to your body. There are many physical, somatic symptoms that you will most definitely experience in a panic attack, however, none of them are life threatening. These can include accelerated heart rate, sweating and shakiness. Many people who experience panic attacks also come across chest pain. This is nothing to worry about too much. The sufferers tend to think there is a much more serious problem when the chest pain occurs, such as a heart attack. But majority of the time, the chest pain is caused by heavy breathing or hyperventilation. And it is strongly believed that hyperventilating will result in fainting. But in most cases, this won't happen.
Panic disorder is a sign of weakness or inability to control emotions. Panic Disorder is a mental health disorder. And it isn't caused by the inability to control emotions. People who suffer from panic disorder may take offence to this myth as it isn't something that they can really control, and if they could control it, they would. It is more a sign of strength as they are able to live life whilst suffering.
Panic disorder is caused by a bad childhood. The cause of panic disorder is still yet to be discovered and there are many different theories as to how it occurs. Some believe that it is a chemical imbalance. Meaning that there is an imbalance of chemical messengers in the brain, or neurotransmitters. Others believe it is a combination of factors which include, genetic, biological nd environmental influences. However, 'Panic Disorder is caused by a bad childhood' is a myth. Because there are a number of reasons it could be caused by, in which scientists are still trying to discover.
There isn't any help for panic disorder. There is definite treatment for panic disorder however no, surefire cure. The treatment to manage panic disorder includes... -Psychotherapy -Antidepressant medication -Benzodiazepines and self-help treatment such as... -deep breathing and meditation -progressive muscle relaxation -desensitization
People with panic disorder must be medicated for the rest of their life. People who struggle with panic disorder, do not at all need to take medication for the rest of their life. The time period for taking medication differs from every person because of how they're coping. And there are benefits to taking medication for certain time periods. These include, decreased anxiety, improved functioning and a reduction or decreased amount of severity in panic attacks.
STATISTICS
Anxiety disorders affect around 18% of Australias population from the ages 16-85. And women have double the chance of developing them. (18% to 11% respectively) Panic disorder affects roughly 2-3% of people living in Australia and New Zealand each year and it tends to develop during adolescence. Same goes for panic disorder, with women being more likely to develop this, with 2.3% male and 2.9% female
TREATMENT OVER HISTORY
It was only until 1980 that Anxiety Disorders were recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. And before it was recognized, the people who suffered from anxiety disorders were given a diagnosis of stress or nerves. And very few people were given actual, effective treatment. Since 1980, we have come to the realization of the importance of these disorders and now know that there are severe disabilities associated with these disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III) is what had established the overall concept of anxiety disorders. Today, there are much more effective treatment including cognitive behavioural therapy, different medications (Tricyclic, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Benzodiazepine), self-help strategies and group therapies.
IMPACTS ON THE SUFFERER
There are extreme, negative impacts on an individual who suffers from panic disorder. It is a huge weight on their shoulders knowing they could suffer from a panic attack at any given time and not have any control over it. The biggest impact would most likely be on their social life. It would be a huge struggle to have solid and healthy relationships with people due to panic disorder. People who suffer PD may have less self confidence and start to feel less self worth. These emotions can have a huge impact on ones mental health and can lead to depression. Another huge impact is on the persons physical health. The amount of stress that the sufferer has can lead to them neglecting their physical health. This could be not eating, or eating too much, not exercising etc.